Tuesday, November 30, 2010

The only crappy thing about working late is missing the opening bands of concerts when you really want to see those bands...Last week, We Are The In Crowd, The Ready Set, Cartel, and Hey Monday (and their cover band) were in Dallas at The Prophet Bar. Due to lovely Dallas traffic and my work schedule, T, L, K, and I didn't make it to The Prophet Bar until the very end of The Ready Set's set-we did get to hear a wonderful acoustic rendition of Love Like Woe, but that was it. I really loved watching We Are The In Crowd at Warped and was looking forward to seeing them do another set, so I was not happy about our awful timing. It didn't help that This Century wasn't on the tour anymore-that took out an opening act which would have pushed everyone else back to the times I had planned on (plus, I really kind of wanted to see This Century again).

Regardless of my ranting about my own bad timing and whatever, what I did see of the concert, I really liked.

Every time I see Cartel live, I find more and more to like about them, and I wish that I had gotten into them a few years ago instead of a few months ago. They played with a ton of energy and were really able to get the whole crowd into their set. I absolutely love lead singer, Will Pugh's voice; he is awesome. Their set included Let's Go, If I Fail, and Deep South, along with other favorites. I really wish that their set had been longer...I really need to see more Cartel ASAP.

Hey Monday was up next, headlining this show. I've been trying to see Hey Monday for a while, and this was the first time that it finally worked out for real. I love the energy that this band brings to their sets and how powerful lead singer, Cassadee is when she is on stage performing. Their music is fun with a slightly heavy and deep side to some of the songs. They played older, newer, and their newest songs including a redone version of Candles, Josey, Hangover, and I Don't Wanna Dance.

Monday, November 29, 2010

On Musiqtone, be sure to check out new videos from The Ready Set, Mitchell Musso, My Chemical Romance, and B.O.B. in the Premiere Box, my review of Keith Urban's new album, Get Closer, and Lindzey's review of Justin Bieber's acoustic album.

Patrick Stump releases two versions of new song “Spotlight” check them out here

Sunday, November 21, 2010

I read this article the other day in the Dallas Morning News about the bids for Texas House Speaker.

Basically the issue here is that two Christian republicans are having an issue that a Jewish republican is in the run for the bid to be Texas House Speaker. They cite in an email that he should not be considered because he is not a good Christian (and that this does not qualify him as a republican either).

Yes, I am Jewish, but NO I have no problem with people of other faiths; the problem that I have with this whole dilemma is that these men think that Straus is not qualified to be the Texas House Speaker because of his religion. They deny this and say that the examples they used were mere facts about the other men they were mentioning, but it is pretty clear in the fact that most of the correspondence is centered around Straus's religion.

This is just another example of religious intolerance and elitism. Religion does not qualify you for any political jobs; beliefs and convictions are what should qualify a person for those positions.

I am not a political person and I am not trying to make a political statement. I am not trying to bash one religion or put one over another; if it was reversed, I'd still see something wrong with it.

Friday, November 19, 2010

For the past few years, I had been doing the walk in Syracuse while I was in college...the walk was a lot smaller than the one I experienced in Dallas, but both were so heartwarming and full of support.

Now one of the most widely known breast cancer cure finding, awareness, and fundraising efforts, Susan G. Komen started out as a grassroots initiatives with those goals in mind. Each Komen affiliate works hard to raise funds to educate people about breast cancer, fund mammograms, support those who have been affected by cancer, and to help find a cure. Many different types of events are hosted, but the most popular one is the Komen 5K Race for the Cure.

It is amazing to see how many people show up for this 5K; whether you have breast cancer or know someone who does, it is such a moving event. I have always walked it with my friends, and it's just a fun way to hang out and do good for a worthy cause. I walk for my friends who have been affected by the disease and this is a cause that I am more than proud to support. The event puts a positive spin on something that is so tragic; it showcases the human spirit and will to live, learn, and move forward.

Here are some pictures from the walk in Dallas from last October

Check out the Dallas affiliate of Komen here, and the official Komen website here

Preparation

1. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle steaks with salt and pepper; coat with cooking spray. Add steaks to pan; cook 3 minutes on each side or until desired degree of doneness. Transfer steaks to a serving platter; keep warm.

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

I was really excited that Days Difference was playing Dallas again, and I love when bands that I like tour with bands that I haven't heard of, or haven't heard much of. Though sometimes the accompanying bands aren't quite my taste, more often than not, I end up liking at least one of them. This was definitely what happened at this show. All of the bands were awesome, and I even got to interview two of them for Musiqtone.

The first band up was Ty Mayfield; Ty is from Oklahoma, but going to college in Dallas and studying Music Business-he's a really cool guy. His music reminds me of Jack's Mannequin and a little bit of Jason Mraz. He plays the keyboard and sings; he is very lively and animated and has a great voice. His passion is very visible when he plays and you can really tell how much he loves making and performing his music. His set included songs from EP,The Curveball EP including The Curveball and Love In The Making. He also did an awesome cover of Ain't No Sunshine When She's Gone.

After Ty was Hope; Hope is a really chill, positive girl who has a voice that reminds me of Norah Jones. I love the calmness and serenity in her voice and in her songs. Her lyrics are honest, deep, and come from a very real place. Her set was very simple and stripped. She performed with an acoustic guitar accompanied only with bongos, and Mike Robins on guitar. The whole band was really into the performance; it seems that her lyrics hit home with more people than just herself. Hope's songs are beautiful and very meaningful; her set included Who Am I To Say, Bring Me Flowers, and Love, Love, Love which she actually recorded with Jason Mraz.

Days Difference played next; seriously, every time I see them, they get better than the time before (though the private acoustic show I went to was the best I've ever seen). Lately, they've released a mixtape of older and new songs and have begun to add new songs to their set. They always have a lot of energy to give to the crowd and I feel like touring with Ryan Star has helped them gain more fans who are a little different than their normal audience. In their set, we heard a new song, Don't Let Go, as well as favorite songs includingWake Up Your Heart, Sunrise, and Speakers.

Headlining this tour and bringing that night's show to an awesome end was Ryan Star. Ryan star is a very talented musician from Long Island. He's been around for a while, first in a band called Stages, and now solo with an awesome back up band. His lyrics and songs come from a very deep place and although they make you think, they are relateable in that they make you think about things you have experienced in your life. His music is very rock and very heavy with guitar, kind of reminding me of Daughtry or Nickleback. His vocals are amazing, and when his voice accompanied by his keyboardist's voice, the songs become that much more moving and deep. His set included older songs, as well as new songs from his new album, 11:59 such as Brand New Day, Last Train Home, Psycho Suicidal Girl, and Start a Fire.

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Last week, Guster released a new album, Easy Wonderful, after a four year break. The band is now in the midst of planning tours and getting back in touch with their fans while balancing their newly found lives as fathers.Read more at Musiqtone...

I love pizza, but a pizza without cheese always sounds kind of iffy to me. I made this pizza for my mom and my youngest sister, and even though it didn't have much cheese or sauce on it, it was delicious. An awesome alternative to pizza and very easy to make.

Pizza with White Bean Puree & Fresh Tomatoes

A fragrant white bean puree and fresh tomato slices top this crisp pizza.

Preparation

2.Divide pizza dough in half. Roll out one half of the dough on a lightly floured surface into a 12-inch circle. Transfer the dough to the prepared pan. Pierce the dough several times with a fork to prevent air bubbles from forming. Prebake the crust until lightly browned, 5 to 6 minutes. Repeat with remaining half of dough.

3.Spread the crust with half of the white bean puree. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon Parmesan over the puree. Arrange half of the tomato slices evenly over the pizza; sprinkle with half of the scallions, another 1 tablespoon Parmesan and 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper.

4.Lightly mist with olive oil cooking spray. Bake the pizza until the bottom and edges of crust are browned, about 5 minutes. Repeat with remaining toppings on second crust. Slice and serve.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Okay seriously when did October fly by...I swear it was just September and I was stressed as all hell...looks like October kind of followed suit..I know last week did...as far as goals and accomplishments..I pretty much sucked at that, so let's start new for November

Goals:

keep apartment clean and at least presentable

get more sleep on work nights

AM cardio sessions at least once a week

Run on the Katy Trail-1 or 2 miles at least once a week

Learn to better manage my money

work on timing and being late less often (doing SO much better at this!)

so that's about all i can think of right now...did october go really fast for anyone else? weirdness.

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